Now in their fifteenth year, the St. Louis post-hardcore band Story of the Year (SOTY to fans) returns to the studio to create their fourth album. “It sounds like B.S. but this record just sort of happened,” says bassist/vocalist Adam Russell. “It was the easiest we’ve ever written and we think it’s our best. It feels natural, like music should, instead of toiling over it like a day job.”
The Constant features eleven tracks in the traditional SOTY guitar wailing style and an additional two bonus tracks offered on iTunes. Russell explains the origin of the album title, “There are a lot of meanings to the name. We picked it because it’s such a broad concept with a lot of meanings. It’s open to interpretation and has lyrical significance that people can relate to on different levels.” The album, which was released on February 16th, has two black and white overlapping circles with some power lines at twilight on the cover. According to Russell, the yin-yang looking Venn diagram “is open to interpretation as well. We’ve done a lot darker artwork and we weren’t feeling that this time.”
While recording in a studio built into the house that the band shares, Russell and the gang took a different approach to this album. “We tried to let things come naturally instead of holding it under a microscope. I think it really worked out for the better. We realized you can really over think things and that songs that come out naturally are the best.” Russell goes on to explain the method of conception for the album. “We did a lot of writing together this time. Usually we write the licks first, then Ryan [vocalist Ryan Phillips] and I write the lyrics. Ryan primarily wrote the vocals while we were playing this time.” While content with the end result of his labors, Russell admits that, “I don’t think the final product is ever what you predicted it would be when you start writing a record, but it definitely didn’t turn out to be anything way off from the direction we were going.”
Over the years, SOTY has finely shaped honed their sound into what it has become today. “By the fourth album, we know what we we’re doing a little more. We are more mature musicians and in a better place. We’re laid back about musical disagreements. The songs that ended up on the album are all unanimous. It’s rare that we’ll really get into it about songs,” Russell says. “We rehearse less now. It makes for more spontaneous moments on stage. The best shit happens spontaneously! There is a fine line between making everything sound like shit at a show and doing something so epic that it doesn’t matter how bad of a fuck up it is.” Russell recalls an incident that happened years ago while on tour. “At a show in Denver, Ryan came up behind me and cut off all the strings on my bass with sire clippers when we we’re playing.”
The band is currently preparing for their long journey on the road later this year. “The first show starts March 25th in Denver. From there we’re going all over the U.S. and to Europe for two weeks to make up for some postponements we had before. Asia and Australia after that. We’ll be on the road for the duration of the year.” Russell admits that while being on the road for so long is taxing, it definitely helps that all of the guys are good friends, but that wasn’t always the case. “Back in 2002, we all lived in a three bedroom house in Orange County and it was gnarly. We all really got on each other’s nerves, but after awhile we learned each other’s nuances and we’re like family now.”
When asked about his future plans with the band, Russell said that it was “too far to foresee. Maybe a new record in a year and a half but it all depends on the situation. There is no formula to it, really.”
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